Month: October 2011

Heidar Helguson nets from the spot to settle a tempestuous West London Derby at Loftus Road.

Queens Park Rangers were 6-1 to beat Chelsea at Loftus Road at the weekend. A bet of £10, not an unreasonable amount, would have paid for a lengthy drinking session at the local pub for a number of good friends.

For our nouveau riche, arrogant West London neighbours, money has long since been no object. However, their drink of choice would undoubtedly have been bitter, particularly for Andre Vilas Boas, who watched his moneyed charges lose composure amidst indiscipline and profligacy.

Queens Park Rangers were a snatched effort from Adel Taarabt away from an unconvincing victory over struggling Blackburn Rovers. In a nervy, physical contest brightened only by the pace and trickery of David Hoilett, Rangers and Blackburn largely flattered to deceive, carving out a mundane 1-1 draw which largely bored the assembled crowd at Loftus Road. QPR took the lead through an audacious chip from Heidar Helguson, starting for the first time this season after his impressive substitute stint against Aston Villa. Helguson’s delicate effort flew perfectly over Rovers ‘keeper Paul Robinson, and offers hope to Neil Warnock that his side can cope without DJ Campbell, who will be side-lined for up to eight weeks with a suspected broken metatarsal. Any optimism R’s fans may have had of securing their first win at home in eight league games was dashed by the imposing Christopher Samba, who beat Fitz Hall to the ball and headed past Paddy Kenny after 24 minutes.

Carlos Tevez’ behaviour has, this week, shocked pundits, casual observers, and most particularly, supporters of Manchester City Football Club. However, it seems that far too many people have missed a crucial factor which may explain the stroppy Argentine’s refusal to actually show even a modicum of loyalty to his moneyed employers. This is that the Citizens are not a football club, more the product of a spoilt child’s dedication to Football Manager. There is no team spirit at Eastlands, no loyalty, and certainly no integrity amongst the over-paid, indulged and pampered superstars whom Sky Blues’ fans readily purchase shirts bearing the names of. Tevez is a mercenary, who plays for Manchester City not for love of the club, nor dedication to the ideals and aims of the manager, Roberto Mancini, but simply to satiate his own desires for financial recompense and make up for the fact that he, and nobody else, is to blame for his current career malaise.